Connect with us

Basketball

USC Basketball raises ticket prices after James arrival

Published

on


Bronny James’ commitment to USC basketball is already positively impacting the Trojans’ athletic department.

Bronny, the son of LeBron James, was one of the final prized recruits to make his college decision. Now, the USC athletic department is cashing in by raising ticket prices ahead of the 2023-24 basketball season.

USC chief marketing officer and associate athletic director Craig Kelley spoke with ESPN about the potential price hike at basketball games this season.

“I know it’s going to be hard to believe, but with or without Bronny, the prices were more than likely going to go up by a few percentage points just because that’s just the nature of the business,” Kelley said. “Most teams are increasing their prices 2% to 3% annually. We’ve actually been flat for quite some time, and so we were going up in price just because the team has just gotten better. And you do add some notable name players.”

How Will Bronny Impact USC Basketball Attendance?

Despite bringing in a star-studded recruiting class, none of those players have a name as notable as James.

According to On3, James has the highest NIL valuation in all of college sports at $6.8 million, double the next-highest athlete (LSU’s Livvy Dunne) and nearly five times that amount of the next-highest basketball player (Northwestern State’s Hansen Enmanuel).

Last season, an average of 4,021 fans attended USC basketball home games in 2022, which ranked near the bottom of the PAC-12. For comparison, crosstown rival UCLA averaged 9,276 fans at their 17 home games in 2022, more than double that of the Trojans. In fact, only four PAC-12 schools (California, Washington, Oregon State, & Stanford) had a lower average attendance at basketball games in 2022-23 than USC.

However, that is expected to change in 2023, with the arrival of Bronny James expected to make USC basketball games among the hottest tickets in LA.

What Will Bronny James’ Role Be At USC?

Head coach Andy Enfield will have a difficult task on his hands at USC this season. All eyes will be on how USC handles Bronny’s development and playing time. However, there isn’t a clear path for James to start on Day 1.

James will be joined in the Trojans’ backcourt by another highly-touted freshman guard, Isaiah Collier, ESPN’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class. A guard from Wheeler High School, Collier averaged 20.2 points, 6.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 steals en route to winning the Georgia 7A State Championship.

Collier is projected to start alongside senior guard Boogie Ellis, who averaged 17.2 points per game last season while shooting 38.6 percent from 3-point range.

That means that Bronny might have to start his college career as a sixth man, coming off of the bench.

Enfield seemed to echo that sentiment but did mention that all of USC’s guards will have a chance to log significant playing time next season.

“All our guards have a great opportunity to play for us because we don’t have a ton of guards,” Enfield said. “We don’t have eight or nine. We have some opportunity for those guys to carve out a nice role for them, and in Bronny’s case, we don’t promise starting spots, but the nice thing is I think all of our guards will play good minutes for us this year.”

A knockdown shooter and a strong defender that plays with a high IQ on both ends of the floor, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see James carve out a role off of the bench as a freshman.


College Basketball Betting Content You May Like




Source link

Basketball

76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. apologises after tirade following last-second controversy

Published

on

By


The Sixers and Clippers fought until the last second of their Wednesday night matchup, ending the tie in full-blown drama that included insults and replay reviews. This is why the controversy surrounding the last play of the contest, stained the Los Angeles club’s 108-107 triumph.

With the 76ers trailing by a point in the final play of the game, Kelly Oubre Jr. took the ball and drove it towards the basket but collided with Paul George as he got off the floor. The officials didn’t see an issue with the play and restrained from blowing the whistle, which meant that time eventually expired and the Clippers earned the win.

The Philadelphia forward walked over to the officials alongside his coach Nick Nurse to yell at the refs, but both were consequently separated by their own teammates. Oubre Jr.’s choice of words have gone viral on social media, as he appears to insult them after his 17-point performance.

“First and foremost, heat of the moment, this is an intense basketball game, of course. We’re not perfect, the refs aren’t perfect,” he said full of regret. “I want to apologize for just losing my cool, because that’s something I try to work on each and every day, and try to represent God in the best way I possibly can, and that wasn’t it. I just ask for forgiveness.”

Oubre Jr. revealed that he witnessed his coach’s frustration, which only fueled his own anger. “But I saw Coach Nurse getting riled up and if our coach is going to fight for us and he’s going there, then I’m right behind him. At the end of the day it wasn’t cool, so I’ll take whatever penalties come with that and have to move on. But I’ve got to be better, in a sense,” he added.

To make matters worse, the referees later admitted they had made a mistake during that play, in which Kelly hoped to get at least a free-throw attempt. “On the last play on the floor, in real time the crew interpreted that play as the defender jumping vertically,” said crew chief Kevin Scott. “However, in post-game video review we did observe some slight drift to his left by the defender George, and a foul should have been ruled.”

It is normal to have officials miss calls during a basketball match, but the ones that occur in the final minutes of a game usually are subject to the most scrutiny. The Sixers, who at some point were second in the Eastern Conference’s standings, are now fighting to stay out of Play-In positions.

Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse revealed how his team was contributing to their own defeat against the Clippers

Despite letting off steam at the end of the contest, the 76ers tactician knew they only had themselves to blame for their last-second loss to the Clippers. Philly wasn’t able to contain their opponent’s full-court press and made many mistakes along the way.

“Well, at 104-101, we had the ball sideline, [and] Tyrese [Maxey] breaks into the backcourt wide open, slips and falls, and they get an and-1 out of that,” Nurse explained. “We come down and score, they’re full-court press and they knock one off of Kelly out of bounds.”

However, the Sixers coach didn’t agree with some late calls made by the refs, and even excused his starting forward for all the drama that ensued once the final buzzer went off.

“I think [Oubre] took it in there pretty hard,” Nick expressed postgame. “I looked at it on our computers a couple times. I thought it was certainly contact, certainly as much of the last two or three that got called and-1s at the other end. I thought it was enough contact to call. [But] that’s the way it goes sometimes.”





Source link

Continue Reading

Basketball

LeBron James hopes to be strategic with health and later push in playoffs

Published

on

By


Just like at the end of last year’s regular season, LeBron James needs to consider his playtime to rest and save up energy if he is to lead the Lakers‘ push during the NBA Playoffs. The only difference is, this time he’s not injured, but should emphasise being strategic with his health in case it happens.

The biggest challenge is the fact that the purple and gold have no guarantees that they’ll make it to the postseason just yet, and will also need their superstar’s guidance in order to keep chasing a better seed down the stretch. After beating the Grizzlies 136-124 this Wednesday evening, he revealed his thoughts on the matter.

“I got to be smart with it,” the veteran said after returning from a one-game absence due to a sore left ankle. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”

Despite being the oldest player in the league, James is still putting up impressive exhibitions along the way. The 21-year veteran logged his fourth triple-double of the campaign against Memphis, with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists to his name. With this past win, the Los Angeles club extend their streak to a season-best five games and are sitting in the Western Conference’s ninth spot with nine contest yet to go.

This is why LeBron considers it necessary to avoid risking short-term objectives that could affect his playoff involvement. “I mean, I would’ve probably tried to play yesterday [in Milwaukee] if that was the case,” the 39-year-old said, as he’s only missed 10 games so far this season. During his absence, the squad has gone 6-4.

“Just be very strategic,” the star explained. “Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub. Not just one individual. But for me looking out for myself when it comes to injury and knowing my foot and knowing my ankle and how it reacts, and how it’s been over the last couple of years, it’s just always keeping a hefty eye on it.”

Unfortunately for the L.A. club, they must also decide how to manage Anthony Davis‘ situation, as the team decided to follow the same approach as he sat out on Wednesday due to a hyperextended left knee.

Despite AD’s knee injury, the Lakers prove to have depth as Rui Hachimura excelled in his teammate’s absence

Despite playing without their All-Star big man, who rested his left knee on Wednesday, the purple and gold still clinched a win against the Grizzlies inspired by many surprising leaders. One of them was Davis’ replacement, Rui Hachimura, who hit 32 points and earned 10 rebounds last night.

“When I came here today, this morning, I got all the flashbacks from last year,” shared the Japanese star. “Playoff time. … We have good memories here, had a pretty good games in here. I think I was happy to be able to come back here — it’s been almost a year.”

Just like last campaign, the Los Angeles team hope to play their best when it really counts. One year ago, the Lakers produced one of the strongest pushes down the last regular-season stretch. One Lakers forward believes it’s about being consistent.

“I don’t think any team in the league really wants to see us besides a couple,” said Taurean Prince. “We know our capabilities. I think everybody else does, too. It’s just about us coming being consistent.”





Source link

Continue Reading

Basketball

Is Dejounte Murray (back) playing tonight against Celtics?

Published

on

By


Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) remains questionable for Thursday night’s home game against the Boston Celtics. Murray, 27, has missed just three games overall this season.

The 2022 All-Star was also questionable with back soreness prior to Atlanta’s 120-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. He amassed 30 points, three rebounds, and seven assists in 35 minutes of action.

According to a few NBA betting sites, the Hawks (33-39) hold 10th-best odds to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Sportsbooks show better odds for the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) and Chicago Bulls (35-38).

“[Murray]’s efficiency tonight was just terrific,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “He picked his spots and set people up. He really set the tone for us.”

Through 69 games (all starts) this season, Murray is averaging a career-high 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 35.4 minutes per game while shooting a career-best 46.6% from the field and 36.8% from downtown.

“I always try to make the right basketball play, keeping confidence in my guys,” Murray said. “They know I believe in them. I’m always looking to get them the ball and for them to be aggressive taking shots.”

Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) is questionable vs. Boston Celtics

Of course, the bigger story ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Celtics is what occurred earlier this week.

The Hawks overcame a 30-point deficit in Monday night’s 120-118 win over Boston, their largest comeback victory in franchise history in the play-by-play era (since at least 1997-98).

Entering the matchup, the largest deficit the Hawks overcame in a win since 1997-98, regardless of opponent, was 27 points vs. Boston on Jan. 25, 2013, according to Elias Sports.

Murray recorded 19 points and a career-high-tying 15 assists against the Celtics. Atlanta also became the first team since 2002-03 to overcome a 30-point deficit against the team with the NBA’s best record.

The last team to come back from 30 or more points down to defeat the team that entered that day with the NBA’s best record was the Los Angeles Lakers (down 30) versus the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 6, 2002.

Furthermore, the Celtics had won 20 of 22 and were on a nine-game winning streak. Boston is now 11-3 in its last 14 meetings with Atlanta and 16-2 in its past 18 matchups with an Eastern Conference opponent.

NBA sportsbooks show the Hawks as 16.5-point underdogs against the C’s. Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Boston holds a 92% chance of defeating Atlanta at State Farm Arena.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending